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Weekly Summary
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Feb. 17 is the first legislative cutoff date, which means bills must be passed by their original policy committee by that date or they will be considered dead for the 2017 session, unless they are necessary to implement the budget. During the week of Feb. 20, the attention shifts to the fiscal committees (House Finance, House Appropriations, House and Senate Transportation and Senate Ways & Means). All bills assigned to a fiscal committee must pass by Feb. 24, the next legislative cutoff date.
If you haven't registered yet for Catholic Advocacy Day, please do so by Feb. 24 - see full information below. This issue of the Advocacy Bulletin also has items on religious liberty, the 75th anniversary of Japanese American internment, nuclear disarmament, and excerpts from Pope Francis' message for Lent. |
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Update on Previously Heard Bills WSCC Supports
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Repeal the Death Penalty - HB 1935: Our sincere thanks to all of you who responded to last week's Action Alert! Unfortunately, while the House Judiciary Committee did hold a hearing on abolishing the death penalty in Washington State, it did not vote on HB 1935. Thus the bill is probably dead for the 2017 session. The Governor's moratorium on executions remains in place.
Cesar Chavez Day - HB 1939: This bill would recognize March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day. Cesar Chavez, a Mexican-American born March 31, 1927, was an American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist that worked to improve the treatment, pay, and working conditions of farm workers. On Feb. 15, the House State Government, Elections & Information Technology Committee passed HB 1939.
Fair Chance Act - SB 5312 & HB 1298: SB 5312 would prohibit employers from asking about arrests or convictions before an applicant is determined otherwise qualified for a position. Many job applications have a check box on the initial application form concerning arrests and/or convictions. SB 5312 would prohibit use of this check box so that applicants could have a fair chance at being considered for a position based on their qualifications. SB 5312 passed the policy committee and is in the Senate Rules Committee. This bill is similar to HB 1298 that was heard by the House Appropriations Committee on Feb 16. This legislation used to be referred to as "ban the box" but is now called "fair chance."
Homeless Housing and Assistance - HB 1570: The House Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs Committee voted on HB 1570 on Feb. 16. This bill would make the temporary $40 local Homeless Housing and Assistance surcharge permanent while increasing the local Housing and Assistance surcharge from $40 to $90. Without extending the surcharge, thousands of people would likely become homeless.
Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs) - HB 1783: Most people convicted of a crime receive at sentencing a notice of their Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs). These obligations include victim restitution, crime victims' compensation fees, etc. Upon completion of their sentence, the court-imposed debt, plus the very high interest rate (imagine the burden if your mortgage rate was at 12%) and sanctions, often presents a formidable barrier to persons integrating successfully back into their communities. HB 1783 would eliminate the interest on most of the debt and limit the sanctions for those who prove an inability to pay. On Feb. 16, the House Judiciary Committee passed HB 1783. The bill is now in the Appropriations Committee.
Parental Notification - SB 5320: This bill would require parental notification prior to abortions performed on girls who are unemancipated and under 18. Unless the parent or guardian has waived their right to notice, or there is a medical emergency, the abortion practitioner must give notice to one of the minor's parents or legal guardian at least 48 hours before the procedure. An exemption, known as a judicial bypass, would allow minors to undergo an abortion without parental notification. Petitions for judicial bypass are confidential and free. On Feb. 8, the Senate Law & Justice Committee passed SB 5320.
REAL ID Act - SB 5008 & HB 1041: Currently, non-enhanced Washington driver's licenses do not meet the federal REAL ID Act regulations. SB 5008 would require the Department of Licensing (DOL) to mark standard (or non-enhanced) driver's licenses and identicards as not being in compliance with the federal REAL ID Act regulations. SB 5008 is on the Senate floor, awaiting a vote by the entire Senate. The companion bill, HB 1041, is scheduled to be voted upon by the House Transportation Committee on Feb. 21.
Right to Counsel and Dependency Hearings - SB 5363 & HB 1251: This legislation would give children, who have been removed from their homes and are at risk of entering the foster care system, the right to be represented by counsel. It would also require the court to appoint an attorney for a child before the initial shelter care hearing. On Feb. 9 the House Judiciary Committee passed HB 1251 and it is now in the House Appropriations Committee. SB 5363 was heard in committee, but was not voted on, and is probably dead for the session.
School Nutrition Programs - HB 1508: The bill would require high-needs schools, beginning in the 2018-19 school year, to offer breakfast after the bell to each qualifying student and provide adequate time for students to eat. All public schools are encouraged to offer breakfast after the bell even if not required to do so. The bill would also direct districts with school lunch programs to begin eliminating lunch copays for qualifying students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 and to complete the copay phase out in the 2020-21 school year. HB 1508 would authorize the OSPI and school districts to coordinate with the state's Department of Agriculture to promote new and existing farm-to-school programs and small direct marketing farm programs in districts. The bill was voted out of the Education Committee, and is now in the House Appropriations Committee.
Safe Surrender of Newborn Children - HB 1312 & SB 5522: The legislation would require the Department of Social And Health Services to collect and compile information concerning (1) the number and medical condition of newborns surrendered by the parent under Washington's Safety of Newborn Children Law; (2) the number and medical condition of newborns abandoned within the state who were not surrendered; and (3) report its findings annually, to the public, which may be on its web site. The Senate Human Services, Mental Health & Housing Committee passed SB 5522 on Feb. 14 by a 6-1 margin and is now in the Senate Rules Committee. HB 1312 was heard in committee, but did not receive a vote, and is likely dead for the session.
Informed Consent for End-of-Life Decisions - SB 5433: The bill unanimously passed the Senate Law & Justice Committee on Feb. 14 and is now in the Senate Rules Committee. SB 5433 would revise the state's "Death with Dignity Act" to require an attending physician to inform the patient of feasible alternatives, including the treatment for the purpose of cure and the treatment for the purpose of extending the patient's life, to ensure that the patient is making an informed decision. |
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Update on Previously Heard Legislation WSCC Opposes
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Preventive Health Services (Mandating Contraceptives) - HB 1523: On Feb. 17, the House Health Care & Wellness Committee voted on HB 1523. It would require all health plans in the state to provide contraceptives at no cost. The contraceptives covered include those that are abortifacients. This constitutes a direct threat to the life and dignity of the human person. The WSCC opposes this bill. |
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Register by Feb. 24 for Catholic Advocacy Day
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The deadline for signing up for the 2017 Catholic Advocacy Day is Friday, Feb. 24. This year's theme, "Be a Neighbor and Advocate for All," is inspired by the new pastoral letter by the Bishops of Washington State, Who Is My Neighbor?. The day will begin at St. Michael parish with a briefing on the main legislative issues followed by Mass and district strategizing to prepare for meetings with legislators on the Capitol Campus. To register, visit http://ipjc.org. You will also be able to download flyers in English and Spanish to help you recruit others from your parish to join you in Olympia. Catholic Advocacy Day will be held on March 16. |
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WA Supreme Court Unanimous Ruling in Arlene's Flowers Case
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On Feb. 16, the Washington State Supreme Court filed a unanimous decision that affirmed a lower court ruling. The trial court had ruled that Barronelle Stutzman had discriminated against a same-sex couple in refusing to provide flowers for the "wedding." To read the Supreme Court's decision, click here. Attorneys representing Ms. Stutzman are planning to file an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court. |
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President Trump Asked to Fulfill Promise to Protect Religious Liberty
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In early February, several media outlets reported that President Donald J. Trump is considering issuing an executive order establishing a government-wide initiative to respect religious freedom. A copy of a draft executive order was published by multiple news outlets. The President has not yet signed the executive order on religious freedom.
Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, OFM Cap., of Philadelphia, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, and Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, jointly issued a statement urging support for the draft executive order. Here are a few excerpts:
"The right of all human beings to religious freedom, based on the inherent dignity of every person, has long been supported by the Catholic Bishops of the United States. ... President Trump has pledged that his "administration will do everything in its power to defend and protect religious liberty in our land." We urge the fulfillment of this promise, including an end to regulations and other mandates by the federal government that force people of faith to make impossible choices. We express our fervent hope that with new leadership in the Executive Branch, basic protections for religious practice may be restored and even strengthened."
To read the entire statement, click here. |
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75th Anniversary of Japanese American Internment
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February 19th is the 75th anniversary of the Executive Order 9066 which moved all people living in the Western US of Japanese ancestry into internment camps during WWII. In a culture of fear and division, the Catholic Church responded with courage and love. Maryknoll has put together lesson activities and Mass tips (including Prayer of the Faithful intentions) exploring our call to compassion in commemorating this anniversary. |
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Tillerson Urged: "Accelerate Verifiable Nuclear Disarmament"
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Calling nuclear disarmament an "urgent issue," Bishop Oscar Cantú, Bishop of Las Cruces and Chair of USCCB's International Justice and Peace Committee, has sent a letter to Rex Tillerson, the new Secretary of State. The letter states, "Most Americans assume that the nuclear threat receded with the end of the Cold War. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth." Writing on behalf of the USCCB, Bishop Cantú urged Tillerson to make "bold and concrete commitments to accelerate verifiable nuclear disarmament ..." To read the letter, click here. |
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Pope Francis' Lenten Message (selected excerpts)
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In reflecting on Jesus' parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk 16:19-31), Pope Francis commented that "The parable first invites us to open the doors of our heart to others because each person is a gift, whether it be our neighbor or an anonymous pauper. Lent is a favorable season for opening the doors to all those in need and recognizing in them the face of Christ. ...
"The liturgy of Ash Wednesday invites us to an experience quite similar to that of the rich man. When the priest imposes the ashes on our heads, he repeats the words: "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." As it turned out, the rich man and the poor man both died, and the greater part of the parable takes place in the afterlife. The two characters suddenly discover that "we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it" (1 Tim 6:7). ...
"The word of God is alive and powerful, capable of converting hearts and leading them back to God. When we close our heart to the gift of God's word, we end up closing our heart to the gift of our brothers and sisters. Dear friends, Lent is the favorable season for renewing our encounter with Christ, living in his word, in the sacraments and in our neighbor. ... May the Holy Spirit lead us on a true journey of conversion, so that we can rediscover the gift of God's word, be purified of the sin that blinds us, and serve Christ present in our brothers and sisters in need."
To read the Holy Father's entire Message for Lent, click here.
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